Black Friday 2018: The Best Game Console And Controller Deals

Game consoles are always hot ticket items on Black Friday, if only because it’s rare to see them discounted at other times of the year. With the latest revisions all at least a year old, there are some excellent deals to be had.

We’ve linked the deals that we can, but some are only available on the day of Black Friday, and some only in retail stores. Most retailers will offer discounts on multiple games and accessories, too.

PlayStation 4 Deals

The PS4 is the standout winner of this console generation in terms of pure sales. But it’s also getting pretty long in the tooth, so there are some great bundles offered for the entry-level hardware. The deal to beat is a bundle with the revised PS4 Slim and the excellent open-world Spider-Man, available together for $200 at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and probably a few other electronics-heavy retailers as well. That’s $100 off the bundle price—and $160 less than you’d pay for the console and game separately.

• Best Deal: PS4 Slim console with Spider-man | $300 $200 | Best Buy, Target, Walmart
• PlayStation VR Astro Bot & Moss Bundle | $300 $200 | Best Buy, Target
• PlayStation VR SUPERHOT & Creed Bundle | $350 $250 | Best Buy, Target
• PS4 controller | $60 $40 | Walmart, Target

Xbox One Deals

The Xbox One is the also-ran thanks to its lack of true exclusives. But the good news is that if you’re hoping to pick one up cheap, you can. Microsoft’s Minecraft bundle with the popular game and an entry-level Xbox One S is being offered for $100 off at multiple retailers, but Target and Kohl’s are the ones to buy from if you’re hoping for maximum value. They’re offering $20 and an impressive $60 gift cards, respectively.

• Best Deal: Xbox One S 1TB console with Minecraft | $300 $200 | Target (plus $20 gift card!), Kohls (plus $60 gift card!), Walmart
• Xbox One X 1TB console | $500 $400| Walmart 
• Xbox One X 1TB With PUBG Bundle plus $120 gift card | $520 with card $400| Kohl’s
• Xbox One controller | $60 $40 | Walmart, Target

Nintendo Switch Deals

The Switch is definitely the hot console item this year thanks to a slew of Nintendo exclusives like Pokemon Let’s Go and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. But discounts on the hardware itself, and the various bundles Nintendo offers, are hard to find. The company’s concession to Black Friday is to throw in a digital copy of the popular but dated Mario Kart 8 at most major retailers. Discounts on Nintendo’s official controllers are hard to find, too, but may we suggest some 8BitDo pads or the new wireless Gamecube controller from PowerA if you’re hoping to save some dough?

• Best Deal: Switch console plus Mario Kart 8 | $360 $300 | Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart
• Switch Console plus headset, carrying case, and $90 Kohl’s gift card—$450 with card $329: Kohl’s
• Nintendo Labo Bundle (two kits) | $130-140 $100 | Best Buy

Other Nintendo Deals

If you’re not in the market for a full-sized home console, check out the Nintendo 2DS. The yearly special edition of this entry-level hardware features Super Mario Maker (a $40 value) and a matching color scheme. It doesn’t have any discounts, but the specially augmented portables tend to sell quickly. If you’re hoping to hop on the classic console craze, Kohl’s is selling the Super NES Classic for retail price with a $15 gift certificate.